Kärsten began studying Suzuki flute with Susie Kuniyoshi at age 5 after seeing a video production of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute, and since has studied with Immanuel Davis, Nadine Hur, Linda Neilson-Korducki, and Melissa Krause. Kärsten has also studied the Alexander Technique with Tully Hall since 2009. Kärsten continued her music studies at the University of Minnesota School of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music in flute performance as well as a minor in French studies.

Kärsten has performed with Encore Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Luckhardt, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra under Kenneth Freed, and the Saint Cloud Symphony Orchestra under Clinton Smith. Kärsten has also performed in the Lakes Area Music Festival since 2009, collaborating with artists including Sarah Hicks, Scott Yoo, Roma Duncan, Greg Milliren, Wendy Williams, and Marlene Pauley. She has performed as a soloist in master classes for internationally renowned artists including Pedro de Alcantara, Gro Sandvik, Mimi Stillman and James Hall. An active liturgical musician in the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes areas, Kärsten has performed and collaborated with Marty Haugen, Rob Glover, and Fr. Michael Joncas and appeared as a guest musician at St. Therese Catholic Church in Deephaven, MN. Kärsten has enjoyed performing with her mom and sister in Grace Notes Classical Trio since 2003. Kärsten currently works as a Loan Account Manager with Choice Bank in Golden Valley, and partners with her fiancé, Josh, as an Account Manager with First Financial Security.